Ohhhh, I feel you, I feel you! It's sour grapes, I suppose...
What's struck me most in this week's episode is how happy Jeong-won was (with the girl of his choice, if I may add). And happiness is the best indicator of how things are going, whether in one's personal life or in a relationship. The show also took great pains to plant an image of them going forward together, hand in hand, in that car scene. Could it be read differently? Maybe. But maybe you just have to admit that your expectations differ from the authors' intentions... and pour out your thoughts and emotions in a fanfic or two.
I also wanted to add to your description, dear author, is how efficient Jeong-won was when he had to deal with the inheritance issues. He managed to convince the board, appoint the director he wanted, sign up all of his friends as doctors AND take control of the VIP wards in, like, a couple of days. He certainly has a grown-up side too. But to take on more responsibility, he must learn how to be responsible not just for people in general (i. e. the patients), but for his partner, colleagues, his team. As you have written earlier, his relationship with Gyeo-ul will probably take him THERE.
And frankly, after what Professor Ahn has put her through last season, some aegyo is kinda expected, no?
Frankly I don't mind how Ahn Jeong-won displays affection but to say that aegyo is out of character for him is to show ignorance of a key character. It's not as if there's no precedence.
Ik-Jun summed it up in the early episodes of season 1. Ik-Jun and Gyeo-ul were talking at the garden (eating yukjeon) and he asked what Gyeo-ul likes about Jeong-won. Gyeol-ul said “Everything.” Ik-Jun said that Gyeo-ul might like the fantasy version of Jeong-won because the way he behaves in the hospital is very different with how he behaves when he’s with friends.
And to be blunt about it, there’s no way we can know or dictate how Jeong-won should behave when it comes to his romantic relationship because this is his first. We should accept whatever PD serves us.
I’m glad yours is the only blog I read and I don’t bother to read other forums or Reddit threads. I might be totally pissed to read those who are criticizing how Jeong-won is portrayed. Hahahaha!!
Judging from Gyeo-ul said to Jeong-won about him being a ticking time bomb, I don't really think she has an overinflated idea of the kind of man he is. But he's very much her opposite.
Spot on! I really don't understand those hating on him. We've seen bouts of his aegyo / childish like behaviour from way back in season 1 and I don't see why he should be acting any differently now that he's dating Gyeoul. Did they expect him to be a tsundere like boyfriend to her? And just like you said about the other characters, we all slip into our cutesy or silly sides only with the people we trust.
Well, this side of Jeong won with Gyeo-ul is what I waited to watch for the whole year. The man-child and clingy boyfriend.
But what makes this season out of sense for me is the lack of Gyeoul’s pov. The previous season presented their relationship through her eyes till the very last. It felt like we travelled along with her for the entire period. We felt the jitters of her crush and could empathise with her through every emotion she went through.
Coming to the post confession scene, we saw an elated Jeongwon having a hard time to sleep, reminiscing the kiss and joy of his new relationship. But what about gyeoul? For Godsake, had she expected this turnover? She was along the lines of thinking that she was a nobody for him. Was his confession (that we haven’t seen yet) sufficient enough to erase all her thoughts on his opinion towards her? To have never experienced the kindness of a person to now being flooded with his love, how does it make it normal for a person to receive it all as a natural thing? And what about her confrontation to his lie and the cold treatment towards her? I can’t relate her to be a saint who can understand all of his reasons in one go and to put it behind her like the past never happened.
Rather than the fluff and physical intimacy, the emotional intimacy is lacking here. Even the interpersonal communications that we get is more of implied information consisting of flashbacks. And for two people with as much as many differences, navigating a new relationship in a way as natural as breathing- makes no sense at all.
I understand your concerns but I've so far been assuming that all this stuff happened behind the scenes and in the background. In the show's defence, I don't think he appeared as aloof towards her in the last three episodes. She did her first lead surgery under his supervision and everyone was in essence telling her how highly he regarded her. They apparently had really good interaction post-surgery which piqued Rosa's interest and she in turn was telling Gyeo-ul how much he liked her even if she thought she was a "nobody". So she already had an inkling that it wasn't one-sided. It doesn't surprise me if that conversation with Rosa in the garden was one reason that motivated her to confess. That said, I realise that's probably not very satisfying for you. Especially because Hospital Playlist doesn't really make romance the main thing and we can only assume that these sorts of conversations take place off-screen.
That said, I'm not entirely convinced that we need to set emotional intimacy in some kind of direct contention to physical intimacy especially because these two people have a romance born out of work. Their emotional bond first developed within the confines of the workplace while doing the rounds, seeing patients, doing surgeries.. They learnt to like each other through observing one another as colleagues first and foremost. This is why the maggot scene is such a key moment. That's exactly how their relationship has been framed all throughout. That's why Jeong-won has so much trouble keeping a lid on his feelings at work and it is spilling over unconsciously into their workplace interactions. And even when he was wrestling with thoughts of going into the priesthood, he was barely keeping a lid on how concerned he was about Gyeo-ul during her anaphylaxis episode. The emotional intimacy as you call it has always been present but expressed through the guise of work because Jeong-won couldn't show his feelings for one reason or another. So he set-up her first lead surgery in one instance to express the inexpressible. He couldn't tell her directly how he felt about her but other people could do that on his behalf.
I imagine that she realised that once they crossed the line on Christmas Day. All his odd behaviour towards her wasn't that he didn't like her but that he did... very much. It is so symbolic that this new era in their relationship took place in his office.
Definitely agree that Hospital Playlist doesn’t spell out everything for the viewer. The little details are left to us to fill in. It has happened too many times in season 1–Ik-Jun dealing and processing his divorce, Jeong-won withdrawing from his application to be a priest, Seok-Hyeong’s divorce and why he felt so guilty and sorry.
That’s what I like about HP. PD respects the audience enough to not spoonfeed everything.
If anything, this style actually helps fanfic writers’ imagination because they can fill in the gaps if they want to.
But for me, I’m good with HP not sharing all details. Just like in real life, we’re not always privy to all the details of someone else’s life.
Oh oh! I’m actually torn between this “The little details are left to us to fill in”, the way ShinLee likes to make us viewers think and analyze some scenes to figure it out.
This makes the fandom clashes, no? Because they (ShinLee) often make us wonder ‘what is the female lead is actually thinking of him?’ ‘what is actually his true feelings?’. This makes soo many interpretations, and good to those who love analyzing. But I believe there are viewers who watch the show for fun without thinking, that maybe a bit explanation from the storytelling could help.
Yeah, sometimes I do wish we could get a post-kiss scene when they talk and come clear about their feelings to each other. But like you said, just in real life we’re not always privy to all the details of someone else’s life. To add, this drama’s is basically one episode on month rule. So, we don’t get to see their life every day 🙂
I am very sympathetic to that perspective but ultimately I've got to accept that Hospital Playlist is a slice-of-life medical drama first. It's the only way the snapshot storytelling makes any sense. As a member of the audience and someone who writes about dramas it works for me. Moreover it's the lens from which I view the writer's intentions so I don't feel like I'm overthinking anything. For me it's not necessarily about putting the pieces of the puzzle together but simply about enjoyment. If I have to constantly obsess over what the writer isn't giving me then the entertainment value lessens.
While I'm in awe of Lee U-jung's scriptwriting wizardry, I want to enjoy my dramas more than anything.
Couldn’t keep my thoughts bottled up, and so I ranted here. This is the first pair that I related to, so much in the first season. But its hard for me to understand the presentation of their relationship now, that left me a bit frustrated. Reading your words, I can understand my altered perception that also needs time to process your insight. Maybe I should go and watch those episodes again to see it in a different light.
I’m really sorry if I had been harsh earlier and a big thank you for responding and for this healthy reply. I’m an ardent fan of all your works. Simply said, you are a genius. (Trust me, Im watching ‘law school’ just to be able to read your fanfic and I’m in the 10th episode right now). Please do come up with different literary works and do explore your talents. Much love to you❤️
No worries dear. Feel free to vent anytime. I love hearing from everyone who wants say something in response. I don't even mind if we disagree.
My criticism is not directed at someone like you but to those who watch HP from a particular lens that totally disregards what the show is clearly doing because they have some kind of agenda.
Appreciate your kind words and hope you're enjoying Law School.
I don't mind the aegyo at all, it's harmless and cute and something private between lovers.
I much rather be like Jeong-won than be like Jong-su's children and demandto be handed my inharitance, when your father is very much alive and healthy. I thought they were crass and tactless, while Ahn Jeong-won is a good son, friend and lover who wants what's best for those around him.
I know this has been a topic that has blown away out of proportions. I didn't know until I read this amazing blog. I must say that these scenes of Winter Garden are what I have expected.
One of the main reasons is that Anh Jeong-won has demonstrated his personality through season 1. There has been several parts that this has reflected that he is an emotional person at times. He is a man that his soft and gullible with persons that are close to him (like his mother and best friends). Therefore, he was going to project same behavior with the person that he loves.
At the same time it doesn't make sense to me if the PD and screen writer didn't reflect that specially with Gyeol. Let us remember that this part of him has been a main element for her. Like she said to Yeons Omma she's not good with words and with emotional situations because she's too blunt. Therefore, Jeong-won kind of balance this part of her and viceversa.
So for me I love how they interact and specially when Gyeol answers back with aegyo.
I am no literary genius…but I totally get the HP writer Lee’s depiction of Anh Jeong Won and Jang Gyeul’s characters. I hate watching dramas that gives too much explanation. I don’t mind back stories but audience are smart enough to figure out the gaps that were not shown. I would say HP is a drama without the ‘drama’..
I always felt that Jeong Won has been consistently written. From S1 right up till now. And his all out agyeo is exactly how I imagine him to behave when he dates. It has no bearing on his choices and decisions as a person - he is childlike but not immature. Think a lot of folks out there may confuse the two :D The man has all his priorities right and is farsighted. I love all the WG interactions. This is exactly how many new couples on a honeymoon phase start off. In the current time line they have barely been together for 2 or 3 months ( maybe less). People should just enjoy these sweet moments.
Ohhhh, I feel you, I feel you! It's sour grapes, I suppose...
What's struck me most in this week's episode is how happy Jeong-won was (with the girl of his choice, if I may add). And happiness is the best indicator of how things are going, whether in one's personal life or in a relationship. The show also took great pains to plant an image of them going forward together, hand in hand, in that car scene. Could it be read differently? Maybe. But maybe you just have to admit that your expectations differ from the authors' intentions... and pour out your thoughts and emotions in a fanfic or two.
I also wanted to add to your description, dear author, is how efficient Jeong-won was when he had to deal with the inheritance issues. He managed to convince the board, appoint the director he wanted, sign up all of his friends as doctors AND take control of the VIP wards in, like, a couple of days. He certainly has a grown-up side too. But to take on more responsibility, he must learn how to be responsible not just for people in general (i. e. the patients), but for his partner, colleagues, his team. As you have written earlier, his relationship with Gyeo-ul will probably take him THERE.
And frankly, after what Professor Ahn has put her through last season, some aegyo is kinda expected, no?
Frankly I don't mind how Ahn Jeong-won displays affection but to say that aegyo is out of character for him is to show ignorance of a key character. It's not as if there's no precedence.
Ik-Jun summed it up in the early episodes of season 1. Ik-Jun and Gyeo-ul were talking at the garden (eating yukjeon) and he asked what Gyeo-ul likes about Jeong-won. Gyeol-ul said “Everything.” Ik-Jun said that Gyeo-ul might like the fantasy version of Jeong-won because the way he behaves in the hospital is very different with how he behaves when he’s with friends.
And to be blunt about it, there’s no way we can know or dictate how Jeong-won should behave when it comes to his romantic relationship because this is his first. We should accept whatever PD serves us.
I’m glad yours is the only blog I read and I don’t bother to read other forums or Reddit threads. I might be totally pissed to read those who are criticizing how Jeong-won is portrayed. Hahahaha!!
Judging from Gyeo-ul said to Jeong-won about him being a ticking time bomb, I don't really think she has an overinflated idea of the kind of man he is. But he's very much her opposite.
Spot on! I really don't understand those hating on him. We've seen bouts of his aegyo / childish like behaviour from way back in season 1 and I don't see why he should be acting any differently now that he's dating Gyeoul. Did they expect him to be a tsundere like boyfriend to her? And just like you said about the other characters, we all slip into our cutesy or silly sides only with the people we trust.
Well, this side of Jeong won with Gyeo-ul is what I waited to watch for the whole year. The man-child and clingy boyfriend.
But what makes this season out of sense for me is the lack of Gyeoul’s pov. The previous season presented their relationship through her eyes till the very last. It felt like we travelled along with her for the entire period. We felt the jitters of her crush and could empathise with her through every emotion she went through.
Coming to the post confession scene, we saw an elated Jeongwon having a hard time to sleep, reminiscing the kiss and joy of his new relationship. But what about gyeoul? For Godsake, had she expected this turnover? She was along the lines of thinking that she was a nobody for him. Was his confession (that we haven’t seen yet) sufficient enough to erase all her thoughts on his opinion towards her? To have never experienced the kindness of a person to now being flooded with his love, how does it make it normal for a person to receive it all as a natural thing? And what about her confrontation to his lie and the cold treatment towards her? I can’t relate her to be a saint who can understand all of his reasons in one go and to put it behind her like the past never happened.
Rather than the fluff and physical intimacy, the emotional intimacy is lacking here. Even the interpersonal communications that we get is more of implied information consisting of flashbacks. And for two people with as much as many differences, navigating a new relationship in a way as natural as breathing- makes no sense at all.
I understand your concerns but I've so far been assuming that all this stuff happened behind the scenes and in the background. In the show's defence, I don't think he appeared as aloof towards her in the last three episodes. She did her first lead surgery under his supervision and everyone was in essence telling her how highly he regarded her. They apparently had really good interaction post-surgery which piqued Rosa's interest and she in turn was telling Gyeo-ul how much he liked her even if she thought she was a "nobody". So she already had an inkling that it wasn't one-sided. It doesn't surprise me if that conversation with Rosa in the garden was one reason that motivated her to confess. That said, I realise that's probably not very satisfying for you. Especially because Hospital Playlist doesn't really make romance the main thing and we can only assume that these sorts of conversations take place off-screen.
That said, I'm not entirely convinced that we need to set emotional intimacy in some kind of direct contention to physical intimacy especially because these two people have a romance born out of work. Their emotional bond first developed within the confines of the workplace while doing the rounds, seeing patients, doing surgeries.. They learnt to like each other through observing one another as colleagues first and foremost. This is why the maggot scene is such a key moment. That's exactly how their relationship has been framed all throughout. That's why Jeong-won has so much trouble keeping a lid on his feelings at work and it is spilling over unconsciously into their workplace interactions. And even when he was wrestling with thoughts of going into the priesthood, he was barely keeping a lid on how concerned he was about Gyeo-ul during her anaphylaxis episode. The emotional intimacy as you call it has always been present but expressed through the guise of work because Jeong-won couldn't show his feelings for one reason or another. So he set-up her first lead surgery in one instance to express the inexpressible. He couldn't tell her directly how he felt about her but other people could do that on his behalf.
I imagine that she realised that once they crossed the line on Christmas Day. All his odd behaviour towards her wasn't that he didn't like her but that he did... very much. It is so symbolic that this new era in their relationship took place in his office.
Hope it makes some sense.
Definitely agree that Hospital Playlist doesn’t spell out everything for the viewer. The little details are left to us to fill in. It has happened too many times in season 1–Ik-Jun dealing and processing his divorce, Jeong-won withdrawing from his application to be a priest, Seok-Hyeong’s divorce and why he felt so guilty and sorry.
That’s what I like about HP. PD respects the audience enough to not spoonfeed everything.
If anything, this style actually helps fanfic writers’ imagination because they can fill in the gaps if they want to.
But for me, I’m good with HP not sharing all details. Just like in real life, we’re not always privy to all the details of someone else’s life.
Oh oh! I’m actually torn between this “The little details are left to us to fill in”, the way ShinLee likes to make us viewers think and analyze some scenes to figure it out.
This makes the fandom clashes, no? Because they (ShinLee) often make us wonder ‘what is the female lead is actually thinking of him?’ ‘what is actually his true feelings?’. This makes soo many interpretations, and good to those who love analyzing. But I believe there are viewers who watch the show for fun without thinking, that maybe a bit explanation from the storytelling could help.
Yeah, sometimes I do wish we could get a post-kiss scene when they talk and come clear about their feelings to each other. But like you said, just in real life we’re not always privy to all the details of someone else’s life. To add, this drama’s is basically one episode on month rule. So, we don’t get to see their life every day 🙂
I am very sympathetic to that perspective but ultimately I've got to accept that Hospital Playlist is a slice-of-life medical drama first. It's the only way the snapshot storytelling makes any sense. As a member of the audience and someone who writes about dramas it works for me. Moreover it's the lens from which I view the writer's intentions so I don't feel like I'm overthinking anything. For me it's not necessarily about putting the pieces of the puzzle together but simply about enjoyment. If I have to constantly obsess over what the writer isn't giving me then the entertainment value lessens.
While I'm in awe of Lee U-jung's scriptwriting wizardry, I want to enjoy my dramas more than anything.
Couldn’t keep my thoughts bottled up, and so I ranted here. This is the first pair that I related to, so much in the first season. But its hard for me to understand the presentation of their relationship now, that left me a bit frustrated. Reading your words, I can understand my altered perception that also needs time to process your insight. Maybe I should go and watch those episodes again to see it in a different light.
I’m really sorry if I had been harsh earlier and a big thank you for responding and for this healthy reply. I’m an ardent fan of all your works. Simply said, you are a genius. (Trust me, Im watching ‘law school’ just to be able to read your fanfic and I’m in the 10th episode right now). Please do come up with different literary works and do explore your talents. Much love to you❤️
No worries dear. Feel free to vent anytime. I love hearing from everyone who wants say something in response. I don't even mind if we disagree.
My criticism is not directed at someone like you but to those who watch HP from a particular lens that totally disregards what the show is clearly doing because they have some kind of agenda.
Appreciate your kind words and hope you're enjoying Law School.
She put on contact lenses and blew dry her hair. That's a huge deal for a girl with 2 outfits and paper binder clips as hair pins! :)
I love that you talk about facts of the dramaverse. I dont know why people must project their ideals onto a character. I love Ahn Jeongwon as he is!
This was a delight to read.
I don't mind the aegyo at all, it's harmless and cute and something private between lovers.
I much rather be like Jeong-won than be like Jong-su's children and demandto be handed my inharitance, when your father is very much alive and healthy. I thought they were crass and tactless, while Ahn Jeong-won is a good son, friend and lover who wants what's best for those around him.
Cheers, from Buenos Aires, Argentina ♥
Exactly. Good contrast. Thank you.
I know this has been a topic that has blown away out of proportions. I didn't know until I read this amazing blog. I must say that these scenes of Winter Garden are what I have expected.
One of the main reasons is that Anh Jeong-won has demonstrated his personality through season 1. There has been several parts that this has reflected that he is an emotional person at times. He is a man that his soft and gullible with persons that are close to him (like his mother and best friends). Therefore, he was going to project same behavior with the person that he loves.
At the same time it doesn't make sense to me if the PD and screen writer didn't reflect that specially with Gyeol. Let us remember that this part of him has been a main element for her. Like she said to Yeons Omma she's not good with words and with emotional situations because she's too blunt. Therefore, Jeong-won kind of balance this part of her and viceversa.
So for me I love how they interact and specially when Gyeol answers back with aegyo.
Exactly. Well said.
I am no literary genius…but I totally get the HP writer Lee’s depiction of Anh Jeong Won and Jang Gyeul’s characters. I hate watching dramas that gives too much explanation. I don’t mind back stories but audience are smart enough to figure out the gaps that were not shown. I would say HP is a drama without the ‘drama’..
Ya definitely. Nice to see you here dear.
I always felt that Jeong Won has been consistently written. From S1 right up till now. And his all out agyeo is exactly how I imagine him to behave when he dates. It has no bearing on his choices and decisions as a person - he is childlike but not immature. Think a lot of folks out there may confuse the two :D The man has all his priorities right and is farsighted. I love all the WG interactions. This is exactly how many new couples on a honeymoon phase start off. In the current time line they have barely been together for 2 or 3 months ( maybe less). People should just enjoy these sweet moments.